THQ Inc. today announced that All Star Karate is currently in development exclusively for Wii and is scheduled for release this spring. All Star Karate, the first extension in the company’s All Star franchise, which debuted with the All Star Cheer Squad cheerleading video game in 2008, will challenge players to punch, kick and chop their way through the game with play features based on real karate moves. With optional Wii MotionPlus compatibility, the game offers a true full-body experience by allowing players to experience the life of a karate trainee who is under the guidance of a wise, but humorous sensei, and is on the path toward attaining a black belt, the highest achievement level in karate.

In All Star Karate, players will follow the life of a young, martial arts novice whose noble attempt to save an elderly man from a pack of ninjas brings him face-to-face with a true karate master. The sensei, a cantankerous old-timer, offers his services and teaches his new protégé the proper techniques and disciplines of karate and guides him toward achieving the black belt. In single-player, Career mode, players will execute and master various karate moves utilizing the Wii Remote and Nunchuk, or two Wii Remotes, in order to attain the seven different colored belts or achievement levels in karate, including the black belt. Additionally, players can show off their hand, kicking and blocking techniques by sparring with a friend in Challenge mode or by creating their own move sequences to perform with the Kata Editor.

Hopefully it will roundhouse kick All Star Cheer Squad into oblivion and pull THQ’s ’All Star’ name out of the gutter.